Modern Slavery training delivery

Unmesh Desai: The Metropolitan Police Service’s Business Plan aimed to ‘deliver Modern Slavery training to about 1,200 new recruits a year and 600 Detectives’ by the end of Quarter 4 2018/19.. (https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/met/about-us/met-business-plan-2018-2021.pdf) Has this training now been delivered to this number of staff?

The Mayor: In the year 2018/19, Modern Slavery training has been delivered to 143 detective recruits and 1217 uniformed recruits. In the financial year to date, 135 detective recruits and 518 uniformed recruits have received training.
Modern Slavery is a mandatory part of the training programme for both uniformed and detective pathways, these numbers will increase with recruitment.

Modern slavery arrests

Unmesh Desai: How many arrests have the Metropolitan Police Service made under modern slavery charges in the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively?

The Mayor: The Modern Slavery Act came into effect in 2015, this consolidated and simplified all existing offences relating to modern slavery into a single act. There are therefore no offences specifically relating to modern slavery for 2013 and 2014.
There have been 14 arrests in 2015, 77 in 2016, 104 in 2017 and 114 in 2018 under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Revenge Porn

Susan Hall: For each of the financial years 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/2019, please state how many cases of revenge porn were recorded by the Met broken down by outcome, e.g. charge, caution NFA?

The Mayor: Please see below the requested data for the period specified, broken down to the required granularity. Data included within this table relates to offences categorised as "Disclose Sexual Photographs".
Offences and outcomes for offence "Disclose Sexual Photographs" April 2015- March 2019

Theft in Barking and Dagenham

Unmesh Desai: Since 2017, there have been 2,340 reported robberies in Barking and Dagenham. Of these, 2,204, more than 94 per cent, have either been closed with no suspect identified, have not been updated since the original report, or are still under investigation. These figures follow on from other recent disturbing figures we have seen regarding low rates of prosecution and conviction for crimes in the capital. What more can the Police do to help improve in this area?

The Mayor: I am also concerned by the low level of prosecution for these types of crimes and this has been the subject of discussions with the Commissioner. The Met has taken a number of steps to address sanction detection rates across the city.MI Investigation is now in place to train all frontline officers as crime investigators witha focus onmaximisingforensic opportunities from point of first contact through the entire investigation.This means that officers oversee their cases to completion, producing better outcomes and a better service to victims. It also frees up time for C.I.D to focus on serious and complex crimes. Improvements to the intelligence unit will also provide a more effective support to frontline policing and analysts who can ensure proactivity is directed against the most harmful and prolific offenders.

Taxi trade

Caroline Pidgeon: What additional investment has TfL made in the Black Taxi trade since May 2016, excluding money raised from licence fees?

The Mayor: TfL’s primary purpose in relation to taxi and private hire in London is to ensure public safety through its function as the licensing and regulatory body.
Nevertheless, TfL and I have provided significant funding and financial incentives to London’s taxi trade, most notably to support drivers who switch to cleaner taxis. This includes contributions towards a grant that takes £7,500 off the purchase price of a zero emission capable taxi and a £42 million fund that offers payment of up to £10,000 for vehicle owners who choose to retire their older, more polluting vehicle from the London fleet.
TfL is also providing considerable investment towards the development of London’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. So far, 208 rapid charging points have been installed, all of which are available to taxis and private hire vehicles and 73 of which are dedicated specifically to taxis.
In line with the Taxi Ranks Action Plan 2015, £600,000 was also available to TfL to deliver a 20 per cent increase in the number of taxi ranks by 2020. TfL has delivered a 29 per cent increase so far and is continuing to work with local authorities to provide additional locations.

Rising crime rates

Andrew Dismore: What assessment have you made of the impact on tourism and the economy of central London of the fast-rising crime rates in Bloomsbury and the West End?

The Mayor: Through London and Partners, my team continues to keep a close eye on the benefits of tourism to the London economy. I am aware that safety is often a consideration for those visiting our city.
The work that L&P does to promote London internationally is vital in ensuring that we remain appealing to tourists, and I’m pleased to say that our tourism numbers remain strong despite Brexit.
We do not have specific data on the perceived impact of crime on the local economies of Bloomsbury and the West End and indeed it would be difficult to disaggregate the data that we do hold and easily attribute elements of it on the impact of crime.
I am pleased to say that since my mayoralty began, London’s economic output has increased by 6.1 per cent, there has been an increase of 295,000 workforce jobs and unemployment has fallen from 6 per centto 4.6 per cent, all indicators that demonstrate that despite the challenges, the economy is proving to be resilient.